> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.horsespot.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.horsespot.com/rodeo-management/setting-up-your-rodeo/quick-setup-guide.md).

# Quick Setup Guide

## Before You Start: Gather Your Pricing

Have these numbers ready before you sit down to build your rodeo:

* Entry fee for each event
* Stock fee (charged per animal used)
* Any additional fees (facility fees, etc.)

{% hint style="info" %}
**Tip:** Break these into separate line items rather than one bundled number (like “$65 to enter”). You'll need your entry fee, stock fee, and add-back amount as three distinct numbers when you set up pricing.
{% endhint %}

### 1. Create Your Rodeo

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Start a new rodeo and confirm your rule set.

Choose your number of go-rounds / performances. Most rodeos: 1 go, 1 performance.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Add your events from the built-in list made for your organization

Or add a custom event for anything non-sanctioned(e.g., a parent-and-child fun event).
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Add events from the Add Events step

Not from the Division screen — it automatically builds your go-rounds and classes for you
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

### 2. Set Your Entry Fees and Add-Backs

* Entry fees are set at the Division level. That's what your exhibitors pay, and it's tied to points.
* Enter the same entry fee amount at the Class level too — this feeds your add-back calculation.
* Turn on Add-Back for each class, then enter your add-back amount.

Tip: The rulebook requires 60% of the entry fee to go into the add-back. Enter it as a flat dollar amount (e.g., $6 on a $20 fee) rather than recalculating a percentage each time — it makes your setup much easier to copy for future rodeos.

* Jackpot classes use the same pricing table — payouts adjust automatically based on how many people enter. Nothing extra to set up.

### 3. Set Your Stock Fees

* Your default stock fees are pre-loaded. Add or edit as needed.
* Running team events? Don't edit your existing stock fee — that changes it for everyone, including individual entries. Instead, create a new stock fee just for team classes (many secretaries price it at half the individual rate) and apply it to your team classes.
* Leave “Stacks” turned on for stock fees — you're charged each time an animal is used, not just once.

### 4. Set Up Arena Manager

* Add your arena(s). If you run more than one arena, or hold rodeos at more than one venue, set each one up here.
* Drag and drop your events/classes into your schedule order.
* Double-check that a start time is actually selected for each slot — it's easy to miss.

### 5. Set Up Your Draws

* Add your stock to a Stock Pool (by number, or by name for horses/bulls — just don't mix a name into a numeric ID field, it will split your pool).
* In your Go-Round groups, select your stock pool and order, then Shuffle to randomize your contestant order, and Generate Draw to match stock to contestants.
* Your stock pools are saved and reusable for future rodeos.

### 6. Know Your Reports

* Day Sheets: sell these to exhibitors once entries close and draws are set — they show the draw order.
* Judges Sheets: printed for your judges.
* You can print every judges sheet and day sheet for the entire day at once, all in the correct order — no need to print them one at a time.

### 7. Handle Scratches Correctly

* Draw Out: exhibitor is out of one event but still in others — mark them inactive in that event's draw order.
* Turnout: exhibitor scratches the entire show.
* Also mark the scratch in that class's results (it will show as DO or TO).

### 8. Running Rodeos at Multiple Locations?

* Create a separate rodeo template for each venue (different facility fees, arena setups, etc.), then copy from the right template each time you set up a new rodeo there.

### Once You're Set Up

Copying your first rodeo forward for future events is much faster than starting from scratch — which is exactly why it's worth getting your pricing and stock fees right the first time.

<br>


---

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